Is the boks worthy of No1. The Great Reset

So I did a quick table to map out the matches that we had in 2021. Really hard to draw something that is reflective of the current state of the teams. I have left out the rubbish tours and tournaments as I felt that they did carry any merrit given that teams were in isolation and tried to make the most of it. 

It was only during the 6 nations that we started to see teams full potential. I have also only looked at the top 8 teams and left Japan and Arg out us neither of them managed to beat any team in the top 6. Here is my verdict and who I should be ranked accordingly

1. Ire
2. Fra
3. NZ
4. SA
5. Wal
6. Eng
7. Sco
8. Aus

it is a rather personal viewpoint discussion academic and not really factual.    At this stage the official ranking is a given  and the 6 nations may change  the rankingbut will not affect the Springboks ranking at all.    

However, I have been following the French team quite regularly and is impressed by their style of play and team performances.     However, they will have t beat all five teams in the  6-Nations by a big margin to get ino the number 1 position  os we will ahve to see how the point standings are after the completion of the 6Nations.       

it is a rather personal viewpoint discussion academic and not really factual.    At this stage the official ranking is a given  and the 6 nations may change  the rankingbut will not affect the Springboks ranking at all.    

However, I have been following the French team quite regularly and is impressed by their style of play and team performances.     However, they will have t beat all five teams in the  6-Nations by a big margin to get ino the number 1 position  os we will ahve to see how the point standings are after the completion of the 6Nations.       

Gotta love Wales strategy of relying on the opposing team to get red carded.

Happened in the Ireland, Scotland, Fuji and Australia games. How they won the 6 Nations this year I'll never know.

With the Lions tour, Northern Hemisphere played much fewer games. 
They did not tour the Southern Hemisphere as individual nations in 2021. 

If France and Ireland can look as good in New Zealand and South Africa as they did on the EOYT, they could be more worthy of higher spots. 
However, I don't see Ireland or France beating the Boks and Kiwis in SA or NZ

The 2nd Oz test was the only game that South Africa played badly, it included some dubious selections. 

It is about consistency, and the Boks have been good except against Australia. 
The depth of world rugby top 7 teams is the best it has ever been, so the Boks can be number 1 despite so many losses in one season- because the other teams are also losing games. 

Agreed Snarky...Boks are in a good place, we'll know better next year, after hosting a few home tests...the Lions series was a bit too disruptive to really judge...we need to face NZ, Aus and a few good NH teams in South Africa to really judge where we are.

I heard that France stopped a run of 14 defeats when they beat the faltering wee abs. Is this true?

The Boks are ranked 1 and deservedly.  Can't even begin to imagine another countries supporters arguing their side although ranked 1 are not one.

We were comfortably better than England. Can't see any European side beating us and at home here in South Africa they would get well and truly thumped..

Ireland were able to dominate the poor wee abs pack and so get on top. Their chances of dominating the Bok packs even sans Snyman and Du Toit are precisely zero.

Beeno very happy with all the success in recent years. I will leave the whinging and winning to others. 

I agree with Saffex on this.  I do not think there is a very clear best team in the world.   It depends on the day but mostly it depends on the month we play.   With different calendars between north and south, the teams are at a different stage in their cycle.   Northern hemisphere teams are all gearing up to the 6 nations and the southern hemisphere teams are gearing down as their season ends.  

If the world cup was in 3 months I would say...

SA:  favorite.  The question is can the expansive style now played by France and Ireland unpick SA.   Not the first time over the years I heard it and yet SA is still there.  Forwards win matches, the backs decide by how much.  SA has the strongest pack.   

NZ were tired and Ireland will get a different reception next year when we play down there.  They have lost a lot of quality and have not replaced them but they are still one of the favorites.  

Australia.   Not convinced.   They have some great players but rugby union is on a major decline in Oz and I think it is reflected in the national team.

Argentina.  Declined and I cannot see them coming back in the next 2 years.  

England one of the best.

France   The last 6 nations they really made us look up with their young guns but they still lost 2 matches.  They are maturing and I think they will win the 6 nations and the slam.   Very exciting and one of the best but still need to prove it on a bigger stage.

Ireland need to prove their consistency in the 6 nations to sit at the top table.   It is a new style and when the pressure really comes on will they revert back to form?  We have seen the false dawns 3 years ago when Ireland was number 1.  One of the best... mmm we shall see.

Scotland.   They always claim a scalp but not enough depth.  

Wales.  As Napoleon said I'd rather have lucky generals than good ones.  In the last 12 months Wales have been lucky but luck runs out.  I think the loss of Gatland and key players will make the next 6 nations difficult for them.  Not convinced Pivac can make the Welsh team out perform their individual talent like Gatland could.

One other thing.   Longer term I think NZ and Oz will fall behind.  Money, money, money.  Their revenue streams will decline compared to the Northern Hemisphere.   I think they will regret the SA teams moving to the Pro16.   

NZ now demand a big portion of the purse when playing other countries as they are such a big draw.   As they decline they will not be able to command the same amount.  They have so many natural athletes but how many will stay.

Some very good points Boorad1...nice to hear a positive perspective from abroad...the URC is continuing again this weekend...it'll be nice seeing sides touring South Africa for a change.

Really excited about our tour.  Expect a much harder time and we have a lot of young guys going.  I think the URC took you by surprise and are hunting for blood.   I expect you will find it.  If we get 2 points I would be happy.

Enjoy the weekend.

Planet Rugby put the Boks at number 1, and New Zealand at number 4.

New Zealand's pack is questionable, but at home, they must start as favourites for any test. 

Next year will be a clearer picture with both hemispheres touring. 

https://www.planetrugby.com/planet-rugbys-world-rankings-for-2021/

Darn..United Rugby Championship's South African leg at risk due to new covid strain.

Yeah, it seems all UK players is SA are desperately trying to get back now, with these new restrictions being put  in place